Universal Credit switch for millions of benefit claimants will be blocked unless protections are made for vulnerable, MP warns
PLANS to switch millions of benefit claimants on to Universal Credit will be blocked by MPs unless extra protection is made for vulnerable, a senior MP has warned.
Ex-welfare minister Frank Field said many may have “no option” but to vote the changes down after ministers refused to allow scrutiny of the draft Bill before it goes to a vote.
Support offered to claimants transferring to the credit was “woefully inadequate” and risked undermining the whole project, according to a report by the Commons Work and Pensions committee, which he chairs.
The change has faced widespread criticism over claims that delays in payments have left new claimants destitute and having to rely on payday lenders and food banks to make ends meet.
Mr Field, who sits as an independent after resigning the Labour whip, said: “Having got it so disastrously wrong with its first attempt, you’d think that the Government would want to make sure its plans to move vulnerable people on to Universal Credit stand up to scrutiny.
“Instead, it is choosing to push these regulations through Parliament with no chance for MPs to make amendments.
“That hardly inspires confidence that it has really made the changes needed to ensure that its actions won’t simply plunge people deeper into poverty.
“If its new plans don’t have enough safeguards to protect the vulnerable, then MPs will be left with no option but to vote them down.”
UC replaces six existing benefits - Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit - with a single payment.
The roll-out started with new recipients in pilot areas in 2013.
From July 2019, about two million people already receiving the old benefits will be moved on to UC in a “managed migration”, which is not due for completion until 2023.
Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey has previously said the roll-out would continue but she would ensure the Government “get it right”.
A DWP spokesperson said: "We have consulted on these regulations for several months, receiving feedback from over 400 stakeholders.
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"During this time the Work and Pensions Select Committee had ample opportunity to provide comment but chose not to submit any evidence or offer feedback.
"These regulations, due before the House shortly, are designed to support people on to Universal Credit.
"They protect 500,000 severely disabled claimants and provide transitional protection for all those moving to Universal Credit, meaning that no one loses a penny at the point of transfer.
"Delaying these regulations would leave people on a punitive legacy benefits system that disincentives work and fails to pay people the benefits they are due - costing 700,000 families an average of £285 each and every month."
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